WHERE TO RECEIVE EXPORT COUNSELING Trade Information Center (TIC): The U.S. Government interagency Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee has established a comprehensive, one-stop information center for U.S. companies seeking information on Federal programs and activities that support U.S. exports, including information on overseas markets and industry trends. The center provides detailed information on the resources available through the publication Export Programs: A Business Directory of U.S. Government Resources. Also provided is a computerized calendar of U.S. Government-sponsored domestic and overseas trade events. For more information, contact the TIC at 1-800-USA-TRADE. U.S. Department of Commerce/International Trade Administration (ITA): ITA offers assistance and information to help U.S. exporters. ITA units include country (International Economic Policy -- IEP) and industry (Trade Development -- TD) experts and domestic and overseas commercial offices (U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service -- US&FCS), each promoting products and offering services and programs for the U.S. exporting community. The Japan Export Information Center (JEIC): The Office of Japan is the country-specific (IEP) expert on Japan in ITA. The Office of Japan performs two separate and distinct functions: trade policy and trade promotion. The former involves the development and implementation of bilateral and multilateral trade policy and commercial strategies. The latter function is performed by the recently established JEIC. The JEIC offers business counseling and provides current and accurate information on exporting to Japan. The JEIC provides information on doing business in Japan, market entry alternatives, market information and research, product standards and testing requirements, tariffs, and nontariff barriers. The staff also maintains a commercial library and is available to participate in private- and government-sponsored seminars on various aspects of doing business in Japan. Contact the JEIC at (202) 377-2425. Trade Development (TD): TD industry specialists work with manufacturing and service industry representatives and associations to identify trade opportunities and obstacles by product or service, industry sector, and market. They also develop export marketing plans and programs. To assist U.S. business in its export effort, industry experts conduct executive trade missions, trade fairs, marketing seminars, and business counseling. Seven major industry sector offices offer export promotion services: Aerospace, Automotive and Consumer Goods, Basic Industries, Capital Goods and International Construction, Science and Electronics, Services, and Textiles and Apparel. A cross-sectoral unit, Trade Information and Analysis, provides statistical data and analyses useful in export promotion. To identify an industry specialist, call (202) 377-1461 or contact the Japan Export Information Center at (202) 377-2425. U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service (US&FCS): Established to help U.S. firms compete more effectively in the global marketplace, the US&FCS has a network of trade specialists in 68 U.S. cities (district offices) and 67 countries worldwide. US&FCS offices provide information on foreign markets; agent/distributor location services; trade leads; financing aid; and counseling on business opportunities, barriers, and prospects abroad. District office trade specialists can provide the business community with local export counseling and a variety of export programs and services, including the Export Qualifier Program. In this program, specialists help firms determine their readiness to export through a computerized program. Specific recommendations are proposed to help strengthen and enhance a company's exporting ability. For the telephone number of your local district office, contact the Japan Export Information Center at (202) 377-2425 or call (202) 377-4767. Office of Export Trading Company Affairs: This office has the Federal role in promoting the formation and use of export trading companies and export management companies, and offers information and counseling to businesses and trade associations regarding the U.S. export intermediary industry. The office also administers the Export Trade Certificate of Review program, which provides limited antitrust protection to U.S. firms for joint export activities that can lower expenses and increase profits. For more information, call (202) 377-5131. U.S. Department of Commerce/Bureau of Export Administration (BXA): BXA is responsible for control of exports for reasons of national security, foreign policy, and short supply. Licenses on controlled exports are issued and seminars on U.S. export regulations are held domestically and overseas. For information, call (202) 377-4811. U.S. Department of Commerce/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)/National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS): NMFS specialists work with fishing industry representatives and organizations to facilitate access to foreign markets. In cooperation with US&FCS, NMFS assists exporters seeking to find and explore new opportunities for export of fish and fish products, especially to the Japanese and European markets. It also provides inspection services for fishery exports and issues U.S. Government certification. Contact the Office of Trade and Industry Services at (301) 427-2379 and Export Inspection Services at (301) 427-2355. U.S. Department of Agriculture/U.S. Trade Assistance and Planning Office (TAPO): TAPO is a single contact point within the Foreign Agricultural Service for agricultural exporters seeking foreign market information. The office also counsels firms that believe they have been injured by unfair trade practices. Contact TAPO at (703) 305-2771. Small Business Administration/Export Legal Assistance Network (ELAN): ELAN is a nationwide group of attorneys with experience in international trade who provide free initial consultations to small businesses on export-related matters. Contact ELAN at (202) 778-3080. Small Business Administration/Small Business Institutes (SBI): SBIs provide international trade counseling and management assistance to eligible small businesses. Contact the Office of Business Development at (202) 205-7414. Export-Import Bank of the United States/Services for Small Businesses: Eximbank offers briefing programs which are available to the small business community, including regional seminars, group briefings, and individual discussions held both within the bank and around the country. Eximbank offers a special toll-free hotline to provide information on the availability and use of export credit insurance, guarantees, and direct and intermediary loans extended to finance the sale of U.S. goods and services abroad. Contact the hotline at 1-800-424-5201. Export-Import Bank of the United States/City-State Program: Eximbank works with state and local government agencies to offer export counseling and financial assistance to the businesses in their jurisdictions. Cooperative programs currently operate in three cities (Columbus, Los Angeles, and Tucson) and eight states (California, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, Michigan, Texas, Utah, and Washington) and the Port Authority of New York/New Jersey. New programs are being established in North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania. For more information, contact (202) 566-4490. Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC)/Investor Services: Investor services is an OPIC initiative designed to assist smaller U.S. firms with their overseas investment planning and implementation needs. Fee-based services provide counseling to American firms on business plan development, project structuring, joint venture partner identification, and location of project financing services. Contact Investor Services at (202) 457-7091.